Pneumatic-cushion handle-bar.



Patnted June 27, I899.

A. J. DAVIS. PNEUMATIC CUSHION HANDLE BAR.

(Application filed Feb. 28, 1898.)

(No Model.)

m: nanms versus co. PHQTO-LITHQ. wAsumoYcm o. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW J." DAVIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PNEUMATIC-CUSHION HANDLE-BAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 627,574, dated June 27,1899.

Application filed February 28, 1898. Serial No. 672,090. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it mcty concern.-

Be it known that I, ANDREW J. DAVIS, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cookand State of Illinois, have invented or discovered a new and usefulImprovement in Pneumatic-Cushion Handle-Bars, of which the following isa full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- 7Figure 1 is a perspective View of part of a bicycle, showing my improvedpneumaticcushion handle-bar post in position. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation, on an enlarged scale, the head of the bicycle being shown insection. Fig. 3 is a central vertical section through the post. Fig. 4is a'similar view showing the plunger-stem depressed. Fig. 5 is acrosssectional View on the line V V of Fig. 2. 7 v

My invention relates to pneumatic-cushion supports for handle-bars andis designedfor the purpose of absorbing shock and vibration,

thereby relievingthe rider from the strain and injurious effects ofvibration due to ing over rough roads.

It is a'well-known fact that in the use of bicycles, particularly whenriding at high speed, a considerable portion of the vweight of the rideris supported by the hands resting on and grasping the bars of themachine and that when the bars are rigidly'connected to the head theshocks transmitted to ,the frame through the wheels are reproduced inthe bars and are a source of considerable discomfort and annoyance.signed for the purpose of eliminating such vibration, therebycontributing largely to the pleasure and safety of riding.

It consists of a plunger-stem forming the handle-bar post, a cylindricalshell'constituting an air-reservoir within which the stem is mounted,and means whereby a body of compressed air is utilized as a cushion,with means for connectingthe parts and rendering the device air-tight,as I shall now proceed to describe.

Referring to' the drawings,-2 is the main cylindrical shell, withinwhich is mounted the hollow plunger-stem 3, designed to have therein alimited longitudinal movement under pressure of the bars 4, rigidlysecured to -is provided at' the base.

My invention is dethe top of the plunger-stem 3. g It is designed thatthe downward pressure of the stem shall be counteracted by theresistance of a body of compressed air or other fluid contained in theshell 2, and for the purpose of affording means for charging the shell acheck-valve 5 At the top the shell is reinforced, as at 6, and providedwith an external screw-thread, and an extension 7 of the shell, providedwith a flange 8 at the base, is secured upon the reinforced top of theshell by a threaded coupling 9, having an inwardlyturned flange 10,engaging flange 8 and preferably provided with spanner-holes 11, by

which it is screwed into position. The stem 3 fits neatly within theextension 7, which serves as a guide, and near the top of the extension7 the stem is reduced somewhat in diameter, thereby forming a shoulder12, which abuts against a corresponding internal shoulder 13 in theshell and limits the upward travel of the shell. A key 14, set in theshell and adapted to engage a keywey 15 in the reduced upperportion ofthe stem 3, keeps the stem 3 and handle-bars in alinement.

Between the reinforced top 6 of the shell and the flange 8 of theextension is secured the upper circular edge 16 of a cup-shapeddiaphragm 17, of elastic material, which surrounds the lower end ofplunger 3 and to the end of which-it is more tightly secured by apiston-head 18, held on by bolt 19, screwed into the end of the shell,which is purposely reinforced. This piston-head makes a neat sliding fitwithin the shell 2 and extends slightly beyond the diameter of thediaphragm, thus relieving it from wear and permitting of its freeexpansion and contraction when in action without danger of rubbingcontact. The piston 18 thereby acts as a guide for the stem 3, and thediaphragm insures against leakage or escape of the air.

The shell and the containedparts are designed to be inserted in thehollow head 20 of a bicycle in the usual manner employed with theordinary bar and tightly clamped therein by any suitable means. In thismanner the normal position of the bars may be set to suit the rider, andby varying the internal airpressure the resistance may be made of anydesired degree.

The advantages of my invention will be appreciated by those accustomedto the use of bicycles and will be found to contribute largely to thepleasure of riding.

The construction is very simple, and the device is composed of but fewparts, inexpensive, and not liable to get out of order. It

may be applied to any make of machine usinga hollow head and is easilyand readily applied or adjusted by one unfamiliar with mechanics.

Having described my invention, what I claim is' 1. A pneumatic-cushionhandle-bar comprising a shell of uniform diameter adapted to be insertedin a bicycle-head, an upward extension thereof secured thereon by acoupling connection and provided with an internal shoulder, a handle-barplunger-stem mounted in the shell provided with a reduced neck forminga'corresponding abutting shoulder, a key engaging a recess in the shellextension and plunger-stem respectively, a cylindrical-shaped diaphragmof elastic material eonfined at its edges between the shell and itsextension and inclosing the plunger,

and an air-inlet valve at the lower end of the shell, substantially asset forth.

2. A pneumatic-cushion handle-bar comprising a shell of uniform diameteradapted to be inserted in a bicycle-head, an upward extension thereofsecured thereon by a coupling connection and provided with an internalshoulder, a handle bar plungerstem mounted in the shell provided with areduced neck forminga correspondingabutting shoulder, a key engaging arecess in the shell extension and plunger-stem respectively, acylindrical-shaped diaphragm of elastic material confined at its edgesbetween the shell and its extension and inclosingthc plunger, and anair-inlet valve at the lower end of the shell, and a guiding-pistonsecured upon the end of the plunger-stem and adapted to bind thediaphragm against the end thereof, sub- 45 stautially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ANDREW J. DAVIS. \Vitnesses:

PETER .l. EDwARns, C. M. CLARKE.

